Water Regulations Course (WRAS)

Anything that touches the drinking water supply has to be fit for that purpose. This module covers which materials are permitted, how to identify approved fittings, and the things you must never use on potable water.

• Schedule 2 of the Regulations – what is and isn’t allowed
• Reading WRAS-approved product listings and identifying the WRAS approval mark
• Approved testing schemes: WRAS, KIWA, NSF and how to verify approval
• Differences in lead, copper, plastic, brass and stainless steel materials
• Restrictions on solvent cements, jointing compounds and flux residues
• Materials banned from contact with drinking water and why

How the Regulations expect plumbing systems to be laid out, supported, protected and tested. Get the design right, and the rest of the job becomes straightforward.

• Pipework sizing, support and protection from frost, corrosion and mechanical damage
• Underground service pipes: Depth, materials and entry into buildings
• Pressure testing requirements (Regulation 4) and the procedure
• Stop valves, drain-off valves and the rules on accessibility
• Concealed pipework and access provisions
• Disinfection and commissioning of new installations

Backflow is the single biggest contamination risk on a domestic or commercial plumbing system, and the section of the Regulations that catches out the most installers. This module covers fluid risk categories, the right protection device for each, and where they must be fitted.

• Fluid Categories 1 to 5 explained, with examples for each
• Choosing the correct backflow prevention device: Air gaps, check valves, RPZ valves, vacuum breakers
• Type AA, AB, AD, AF, AG and AUK air gaps and when each applies
• Single check valves vs double check valves vs RPZ and when each is permitted
• Backflow protection on garden taps, washing machines, dishwashers and outside outlets
• Annual testing requirements for RPZ valves and notification to the water company
• Common backflow failures and how to spot them on existing installations

How the Regulations apply once the cold water enters the property and is distributed, stored and heated. This module covers both vented and unvented systems at the level needed for Water Regs certification — for full unvented qualification, see our Hot Water Systems & Safety course.

• Cold-water storage cisterns: Capacity, materials, lids, insect screens and overflow arrangements
• Hot water storage: Temperature, expansion, secondary circulation and combined feed-and-expansion arrangements
• Vented vs unvented systems, and which Regulations apply to each
• Insulation requirements to prevent freezing and excessive heat loss
• Dead legs, stagnation and legionella prevention (where the Regulations and HSG274 overlap)
• Mixing valves, TMVs and scalding protection

WCs, urinals and other flushing appliances are a major source of water waste, and the Regulations place specific limits on flush volumes and design. This module covers the rules and what counts as a compliant installation.

• Maximum permitted flush volumes for single-flush and dual-flush WCs
• Cistern design requirements: Siphons, drop valves and overflow arrangements
• Urinal flushing controls: Automatic flushing limits and water-efficiency requirements
• Pressure flushing valves, and when they are permitted, as well as the conditions attached
• Common compliance failures on WC installations and replacements

How the Regulations apply to baths, basins, showers, bidets, outside taps, garden irrigation and rainwater systems. Several of the most common contamination cases trace back to incorrectly installed external fittings.

• Showers, baths and basins: Flow limits, backflow protection and outlet positioning
• Bidets: Over-rim vs ascending spray and the very different backflow protection each needs
• Outside taps and garden water supplies
• Hose union taps, irrigation systems and pond top-ups
• Rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse
• Commercial appliances

The Water Regulations course takes one full day in-centre, including theory training and the open-book multiple-choice exam. Pre-course reading takes roughly two to three hours.

The Water Regulations course costs £230 + VAT at Logic4training. The fee includes a full day of training, the LCL Awards certification fee, a copy of the WRAS Water Regulations Guide and the pre-course workbook. 0% finance is available.

Please check with Logic4training for any price changes or offers or discounts.

Yes. “WRAS course” is the trade name; “Water Regulations course” is the formal name. Both refer to the same qualification, which proves you understand the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The certificate is issued by LCL Awards and is recognised by WaterRegsUK, every UK water company, all Competent Person Schemes and MCS.

The LCL Awards Water Regulations Certificate of Competence does not have a formal expiry date, but WIAPS membership requires a refresher every five years to keep your accreditation active. Most Competent Person Schemes and main contractors will also expect to see refresher training every five years. If your certificate was issued more than five years ago, we recommend re-attending the course.

Yes. The Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme (WIAPS) requires every applicant to hold a current Water Regulations qualification from a recognised awarding body. The LCL Awards Water Regulations Certificate issued at the end of our course meets this requirement in full.

WRAS used to be a single organisation. In 2021 it split into two:

1. WaterRegsUK (which runs WIAPS, the Approved Plumbers Scheme, on behalf of UK water companies).
2. Water Regulations Approval Scheme (which still owns the WRAS product-approval mark you see on fittings).

The course is still widely called the “WRAS course” in the trade. The certificate you receive is the qualification WaterRegsUK accepts for WIAPS entry.

Yes, in most cases. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) requires its registered installers to hold a Water Regulations certificate, alongside their HWSS (G3) qualification, because heat pump and solar thermal installations interact with the cold-water supply. If you want to install heat pumps under MCS or work on Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) jobs, the Water Regulations course is a prerequisite.

Logic4training runs the Water Regulations course at all four of its centres:

• Northolt (West London)
• Luton (Bedfordshire)
• Basildon (Essex)
• Sittingbourne (Kent)

Course dates run weekly across the centres. Please call us for availability.

Yes. The LCL Awards Water Regulations certificate is one of the qualifications WaterSafe accepts when applying to be an Approved Contractor. WaterSafe is the UK-wide directory of qualified plumbers and unites WIAPS with the Scottish (SNIPEF) and Northern Irish (WIRS) equivalents.

The course is pitched at an experienced level, and candidates should have around 2 years’ plumbing experience and ideally an NVQ Level 2 in Plumbing & Heating. New entrants can take the Water Regulations course as part of our Silver, Gold or Platinum plumbing packages, which include the NVQ Level 2 alongside it.

The principles are the same UK-wide but the legal instruments are different. England and Wales are covered by the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Scotland uses the Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, and Northern Ireland uses the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009.